Winthrop University's (WU) Department of Human Nutrition offers a CADE (Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education) accredited dietetic internship for individuals desiring an exciting professional career in the rapidly growing field of dietetics. Offering a wide range of dietetic internship placements, Winthrop collaborates with more than 50 facilities in the Carolinas, including major medical centers, hospitals, nursing homes, community programs, private consulting firms, university wellness, public school systems, and public health clinics.

Completion of the internship satisfies requirements for membership in the American Dietetic Association (ADA) and establishes eligibility to take the national examination required to be a registered dietitian (RD).  The internship provides applied professional experiences that build on the theoretical knowledge of an undergraduate degree and a didactic program in dietetics.

Accreditation Status

The Dietetic Internship at Winthrop University is currently accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE) of the American Dietetic Association, 120 South Riverside Drive, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606, (312)-899-0040, ext. 5400.  The Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education is the American Dietetic Association's accrediting agency for education programs preparing students for careers as registered dietitians or dietetics technicians.  CADE exists to serve the public by establishing and enforcing eligibility requirements and accreditation standards that ensure the quality and continued improvement of nutrition and dietetics education programs.  Programs meeting those standards are accredited by CADE. CADE is recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). This affirms that CADE meets national standards and is a reliable authority on the quality of nutrition and dietetics education programs.

Program Admission: Successful applicants must meet the following minimum standards

• Completion of the Winthrop University Application for Dietetic Internship

• CADE Didactic Program in Dietetics Verification Statement (or "Intent to Complete")

• Undergraduate grade point ratio > 3.0 on a 4.0 scale

• A satisfactory score on the verbal and quantitative sections of the General Test of Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

• Three references from professionals knowledgeable of the applicant's abilities (forms available)

• An interview with the Winthrop University selection committee

• Recency of education course requirements (see below)

• Acceptable performance in a knowledge-based entrance exam administered by Winthrop University faculty during September of each year on campus

• Admission to Winthrop University Graduate School (Winthrop Graduate Admissions)

• International students must provide verification of English language proficiency (see International Student Admissions guidelines for details) and meet requirements listed in the Winthrop University Graduate Students Catalog.

Request More Information

Recency of Education Requirements for the Dietetic Internship                                                     

Internship applicants must be able to demonstrate successful completion of coursework in dietetics or advanced nutrition, and/or sufficient evidence of clinical practice within the five years prior to the starting date of the internship.  Students who need to improve their knowledge and/or skills will be advised to successfully complete DPD-required courses as prescribed by the faculty in the Department of Human Nutrition.  The Director of the Dietetic Internship will inform applicants which courses need to be completed and in what timeframe.

Deadline                                                                                                                                        

The annual deadline for the internship application is August 15.  Applications should be sent to Professor Judy Harper Thomas, Internship Director at the following address:

Professor Judy Harper Thomas, M.S., R.D., Internship Director

Department of Human Nutrition

Winthrop University

302 Life Sciences Building, Rock Hill, SC 29733

Professor Thomas can be reached via phone (803) 323-4521 or via e-mail at thomasjh@winthrop.edu.

Application to the Winthrop University Graduate Program should be submitted by July 31 to the Winthrop Office of Admissions, separately from the internship application.

Intern selection takes place each September preceding the start of the internship class each January. A maximum of 25 internship applicants are selected annually. Internship applicants must participate in computer matching. For matching information, contact:

D & D Digital Systems

304 Main St.

Suite 301

Ames, IA 50010-6148

or by telephone at (515) 292-0490, or on the web at http://www.dnddigital.com/ada/

Program Requirements

The Winthrop University Dietetic Internship is a competency-based program which includes six months of experiences in food systems management, business entrepreneurship, nutrition therapy, and community nutrition. The internship begins in early January and continues for 26 weeks.  The internship experiences are equivalent to six months of full time work. Dietetic internship graduates meet or exceed entry-level competency standards for dietitians, as established by The Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education.  Students earn six semester hours of graduate credit upon satisfactory completion of the internship.  These six graduate hours may be applied to an M.S. degree at Winthrop University.  Participants in the internship are directly supervised and evaluated by registered dietitians. Each intern will follow an individually planned rotation schedule and will be assigned to rotations within a specific geographical area in the Carolinas.

Competency Statements for the Supervised Practice Component of Entry Level Dietitian Education Programs

For more information please feel free to contact the Internship Director at thomasjh@winthrop.edu or (803)-323-4521.

Dietetic Internship Pre-select Option

A pre-select (early acceptance) option is available for Winthrop University's Dietetic Internship.  Up to eight Winthrop University students already accepted to or enrolled in the graduate program in the Department of Human Nutrition may be recommended by the department's faculty for early acceptance to the Winthrop Internship.  The remaining positions in the Winthrop University Internship will be filled through computer matching.

To be considered for the pre-select option, Winthrop students must meet one set of the following criteria:

1. Winthrop University B.S. graduate by December with a cumulative GPA of >3.2 and  >1000 on verbal   and quantitative sections of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE).

2. Winthrop University graduate student with a GPA of >3.5 in >12 graduate hours and a score of  >1000 on the verbal and quantitative sections of the GRE.

Applicants are encouraged to obtain dietetic-related work experience (volunteer or paid) prior to applying to the internship. In deciding whether to recommend an applicant for early acceptance, department faculty strongly consider applicants' previous experience as well as their communication skills and readiness as a self-directed learner.

Students who meet the criteria for early acceptance should discuss the pre-select option with their faculty advisor in the Department of Human Nutrition.  Applications for the Winthrop University Dietetic Internship are available in 302 Life Sciences Building or online HERE.

Applicants for the pre-select option should submit the completed internship application packet no later than August 15 and should attach a request to be considered for the pre-select option to the front of their application.  Pre-selected applicants are notified of their early acceptance by September 1 and need to notify the Winthrop Internship Director in writing by September 10 if they wish to accept a position in the program.  The names, social security numbers, and signatures of pre-selected applicants are submitted by the Internship Director to D & D Digital by September 15 and pre-selected applicants withdrawn from the computer matching process. 

Program Expenses

Program expenses include

• tuition fees for six graduate credits

• professional reference books

• reliable transportation (Interns may be required to travel among multiple sites in a single day and are required to attend monthly seminars on Winthrop's campus.)

• background checks

• lodging

• immunizations

• liability and health insurance

• professional attire and other expenses

• drub screening if required by a facility. 

Interns are assigned to a geographical location in the Carolinas to complete the rotations.  Interns are not expected to move within the six months.  All of the rotations will be completed within driving distance unless special arrangements are made in order to obtain a specific type of experience.  Interns are responsible for arranging their own transportation and lodging. Current costs for graduate credit are found in the Winthrop University Graduate Catalog.

Financial Aid

Stipends are generally not paid. Full-time graduate-seeking interns are eligible for financial aid with the same qualifications as other graduate students.

For information about financial aid options available for graduate students, visit:

• Winthrop Office of Financial Aid Graduate Financial Assistance

• ADA Scholarships

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS about Winthrop's dietetic internship.

Dietetic internship applicants must apply to the Winthrop University graduate school to register for the internship.  Application to Winthrop University graduate school requires separate copies of official transcripts.

Click here to go to the Winthrop University Graduate Studies website

Revised 2008

Click here to view, save, and complete an application form.  Completed applications should be printed and  mailed to the internship director.  Refer to the checklist for applicants. 

Click here to view and print a recommendation form (you will need - it's free).

Click here to view or print the checklist for applicants. You will need to include all items for a complete application.